Bergen Peak (Thanksgiving Edition)

By mid-November, Cheesman Park was already dressed for winter, though still enjoying warm days.

On a particularly warm day, Dana and I hiked Bergen Peak in nearby Evergreen. If you remember, my first hike post-injury was around the meadow at the base of Bergen Peak; I vowed then that I would return to do the "real" hike once I was stronger.

We set off from the trailhead at 10am, trekking through open grasslands and meadows. The trail was in great shape with very few snow patches. A steep rise in elevation was accommodated by switchbacks through pondersoa pines, douglas fir, scattered aspen groves, and--in the highest elevations--lodge pole pine. The newly snow-covered Indian Peaks could be seen from a viewpoint near the top.

The wooded summit at 9,708' had a clear view of Mt. Evans to the west, Pikes Peak to the south, and Denver to the east.

We completed the moderately-rated 9.5 mile hike in about 4 hours (1,895' elevation gain). Après beers were poured at El Rancho Brewing Company (#65).

In local news, I was saddened by the recent closure of my favorite neighborhood Whole Foods Market. It was replaced, however, by a new beautiful store behind Union Station--a worthy trip!

Speaking of food, Thanksgiving was shared at Anna and Alex's apartment with friends. Sunny and 70 degrees, it was a merry day of cooking, feasting, and calling (or remembering) those that could not be with us.

This time last year, I was celebrating my recent acceptance into the AF. I would have never guessed all that would ensue in the months to come or that I would still be living in Denver for this Thanksgiving. As challenging as the past 9 months have been, I recognize the blessings that have occurred despite--or perhaps as a result of--my injury. One of the most important lessons has been that happiness--which stems from gratitude--is often a matter of perspective and choice; that is, choosing how to view a situation.

"Some people grumble that roses have thorns. I am grateful that thorns have roses."

-Alphonse Karr

Flagstaff, AZ

At the beginning of November, I paid a short visit to Flagstaff to see Kim, my good friend from pharmacy school. It had been almost a year since our last reunion, so I was eager to catch up! After a brief connection in Phoenix, I arrived in "Flag" by late afternoon on Saturday.

Populated by ~70,000 people, Flagstaff is surrounded by mountains, desert, and ponderosa pine forests. South of the Grand Canyon and Navajo/Hopi Native American Reservations, it serves as a gateway to the Arizona Snow Bowl and the San Francisco Peaks--home to Arizon’s highest mountain at 12,633'. At 6,910', Flagstaff experiences cooler temperatures than other parts of the state (mostly in the 50s this time of year with ample sunshine). Fun fact: Arizona does not participate in daylight savings time.

Kim and Kyle live in a lovely apartment just 15 minutes east of downtown. We spent our first night catching up over drinks at the popular Hotel Monte Vista.

On Sunday, Kim and I went for a leisurely hike along the Kachina Trail--a relatively flat 5-mile out-and-back (we turned around after 3 miles). The trailhead starts at the Snow Bowl Ski Area and descends into an old-growth forest that shelters ancient pines, massive Douglas firs, giant ferns, and groves of aspens.

We lunched at our favorite market, Whole Foods, and indulged in dessert at the Local Juicery. That evening, we attended a yoga class at The Yoga Experience and shared vegan pizza at new start-up, The Pizza Patio.

While Kim worked on Monday, I explored on my own. After some necessary PT stretching, I went for a slow morning jog around the neighborhood. Duck Lake offers grand views of the San Francisco Peaks.

The Campbell Mesa Trail System contains 5 short loops that are perfect for year-round outdoor pursuits. On a larger scale, the Flagstaff Urban Trails System is a city-wide network of pathways for both recreation and transportation.

That afternoon, I followed Route 66 into Historic Downtown. The clean and quirky town is sprinkled with coffee shops, vegetarian-friendly cafes, and pizza parlors.

The district south of the train tracks stretches to Northern Arizona University. The campus infuses the town with a young, west-coast vibe (the chaco-with-socks kind). In general, Flagstaff identifies itself as a transient college town.

After browsing the shops, I quickly decided what I liked most about the town--its friendly atmosphere. The warm sincerity of the community is energizing.

I found Macy’s Coffee House to be a cozy retreat, in addition to Historic Brewing Company--even if it doesn't count towards my Colorado brewery list!

Tuesday was spent in Sedona, just 45 minutes south of Flagstaff. The drive through Oak Creek Canyon was a spectacular stretch of beauty that winds through varied foliage set against red-faced rocks and cliffs. Located in the Coconino National Forest, Wilson Mountain is the highest of the red and white sandstone peaks surrounding Sedona. At 7,122', the top is a grassy plateau rather than a discrete summit, and may be reached from two directions via steep trails that converge half way up and continue to two different overlooks. Total elevation gain is ~2,000'.

Shortly after 10am, Kim and I set off on the North Wilson Trail from the Encinoso picnic area. A strenuous climb via switchbacks finally gave way to a bench at the edge of the mountain. Very few hikers joined us on the trail; however, we did cross paths with several tarantulas and catch wind of javelinas roaming nearby.

The North Canyon Overlook sits high above Vultee Arch and Sterling Canyon, with upper Oak Creek Canyon just beyond. Heavy cloud cover obscured the San Francisco Peaks on the horizon.

Sedona Overlook is reached by an easy walk through sparse, burnt woodland, leading to a viewpoint at the rim of the sheer cliffs on the south edge of Wilson Mountain. The impressive view includes Sedona, lower Oak Creek Canyon, Munds Mountain, and Verde River Valley. 

10 miles and almost 6 hours later, Kim and I arrived back at the trailhead. Calves aching, we drove through downtown Sedona. At 4,326', the desert town is noted for its mild climate, vibrant arts community, and New Age shops and spas. Kim and I refueled at Chocolatree, an organic vegetarian oasis. Likely suffering from exhaustion and low blood sugar, we were immediately transfixed by the garden patio, intriguing menu, and zen staff.

That night, we returned to Flagstaff (and reality), and watched a movie with Kas.

Wednesday began with a morning walk through town. Kim and I shared tea at Steep Leaf Lounge and another yoga session before grabbing lunch at Whyld Ass--a wonderful plant-based cafe that serves chlorophyll water.

That afternoon, I returned to the tiny airport to catch my flight home.

My last-minute trip to Flagstaff was such a treat. It was refreshing to explore a new place outside of Colorado. I feel grateful for the opportunity to have spent time with a dear friend, enjoying tasty cuisine, mindful yoga, and meaningful conversation... already looking forward to our next adventure! Flagstaff is a cool little hippie town, unassuming and super friendly, with good climate and easy access to desert and mountains; a real gem.